GSIS urges 2 other CA justices to explain on P10-M bribe try

MANILA, Philippines - Two other justices of the Court Appeals (CA) should explain their side on the "case-switching scandal" allegedly involving the Manila Electric Company (Meralco). Radio dzBB's Lito Laparan on Saturday said the statement came from Winston Garcia, president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), who earlier said that the two justices — Bienvenido Reyes and Vicente Roxas — should give up their posts. Laparan also quoted Garcia as saying that the public should know everything about the alleged bribery scandal. Last week, Garcia said the two, accused of working for Meralco's interest, should get ready to face criminal and administrative charges over the scandal. Last Thursday, another CA justice, Jose Sabio Jr filed a letter-complaint against Reyes and Roxas, which detailed an attempt to bribe Sabio for him to give way to Reyes as chairman of the CA's Special 9th Division. Sabio disclosed that he was offered P10 million by Makati businessman Francis Roa de Borja for the justice to inhibit himself from the Meralco case. De Borja later accused Sabio of soliciting a P50-million bribe to come out with a decision favoring the Lopez group that controls Meralco. Garcia on Saturday reportedly claimed that if the scandal was true, this would rock the whole justice system, which should at all times be independent. At the Palace, Anthony Golez Jr, deputy presidential spokesman, on Saturday said Malacañang “is confident" that the Supreme Court would soon resolve the mess at the CA. "Nagagalak kami nang nabasa namin sa peryodiko ang Supreme Court will look into this matter (We are glad to read in the newspapers that the Supreme Court will look into the matter). We are really confident this is going to be resolved as soon as possible," Golez said on government-run dzRB radio. According to Golez, it is important that the High Court act "just to make sure all the processes in our system will not be at stake." - GMANews.TV